The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns school officials and those organizations that use school facilities that children cannot safely move mobile folding tables commonly found in school cafeterias and meeting rooms. The tall heavy tables can tip-over and seriously injure or kill a child. CPSC has received reports of several deaths and injuries to children in schools when these tables tipped over while being moved in their folded positions. The tables are about 6 feet tall and may weigh up to 350 pounds. Some of the tables have benches or seats attached. The tables are on wheels so they can be moved and then unfolded when in the desired location. Most of the accidents happened during after-school or non-school sponsored activities. The tables overturned when the wheel or bottom edge of the table apparently hit a child's foot or when the child attempted to ride on the table while it was being moved. Typically, two children were moving the table, one child pulling and the other pushing.The child pulling was the one injured or killed. To avoid injuries and deaths from the tip-over of folded tables, school administrators and those supervising after school or non-school activities, such as scouting organization meetings, and social

and church group meetings, should follow these safety rules: Do not allow children to move the folded tables. Only adults should move them. Do not allow the children to play with the folded tables. Keep children away from the tables while they are being moved. Once the tables start to fall, It is difficult to stop them. The CPSC is reviewing the safety of folding tables. Some manufacturers of mobile folding tables have provided, or will soon provide, warning labels to be affixed to the tables. In the meantime, if folding tables do not have warning labels, we suggest that each table be prominently labeled with the above safety rules. For more information about the safe use of mobile folding tables, contact the manufacturer of the table. To report an unsafe product or a product related injury, consumers may call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission toll-free hotline number, 1-800 638-2772. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-638-8270.